Customers of All Ages Can Engage with Cutting-Edge Technology from XYZprinting, littleBits, Raspberry Pi, Sphero, Ozobot, and More
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Customers Can Also “Meet the Makers” at Barnes & Noble Stores Nationwide, Including Dale Dougherty, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Maker Media/Maker Faire

NEW YORK--Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS), the nation's largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today revealed its impressive lineup of events, products and special guests to be featured at its stores nationwide during the first-ever retail Mini Maker Faire, from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8. Throughout the weekend, customers will have the opportunity to participate in interactive product demonstrations to learn about programming, coding and 3D printing, and to take part in collaborative hands-on experiences designed to stretch their imaginations and creative thinking as they work cooperatively to make something original. They will also be able to "Meet the Makers," as leaders in the Maker Movement and local Makers will visit Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, including Dale Dougherty, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Maker Media/Maker Faire, Simon Shen, CEO of XYZprinting, Ayah Bdeir, Founder and CEO of littleBits, Nader Hamda, Founder and CEO of Ozobot, Parker Thomas, Inventor of Maker Studio, Bill Ritchie, Founder of ThinkFun, plus so many others at stores nationwide.

All product demonstrations and collaborative hands-on-learning experiences will be repeated throughout the weekend so customers can fully experience the three unique areas in stores— Make Workspace, Make & Collaborate and Meet the Makers— which combined deliver an authentic and robust Mini Maker Faire. Customers should contact their local store to find out event times and visit BN.com/MakerFaire for more information on the Mini Maker Faire.

"Barnes & Noble is always focused on providing the best possible experience for our customers, and we think the Mini Maker Faire lineup takes this promise to the next level. The never-before-done schedule of events, interactive activities and speakers we're announcing today sets a new standard for experiential retailing," said Kathleen Campisano, Vice President, Toys & Games at Barnes & Noble. "We've put together a fully integrated schedule that allows customers to experience every aspect of the Mini Maker Faire, whether they want to pack everything into one amazing day, or come back each day over the weekend to make, collaborate and learn about something new."

"Make" Workspace

At all Barnes & Noble stores nationwide during the Mini Maker Faire, there will be a "Make" Workspace, or a tech-educational expo space, where booksellers and Makers will demo some of the leading products in technology today that teach users of all ages the valuable skills of coding and 3D printing. There are five featured products:

* The da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3D Printer from XYZprinting, which is affordable, perfect for anyone from a first-time 3D designer to an aspiring inventor, and the number one 3D printer for the home, office or classroom (K-12);
* Ozobot, which makes robotics easy by using the simplicity of color to teach programming and break the barriers of technological intimidation;
* Sphero SPRK Edition, which teaches coding and programming and will be powered by NOOK during the demonstration;
* The Slipstream Drone from Protocol, a 4-channel radio-controlled mini quad copter; and
* Meccano Meccanoid from Spin Master, a four-foot-tall, programmable, walking, talking robot for children.

In addition, throughout the weekend select Barnes & Noble stores will offer a special Make backpack and Make project card decks with the purchase of a print subscription of Make: Magazine, while supplies last.

"One of the things we're most excited about with this new partnership with Barnes & Noble is the unique ability to provide Makers nationwide with an authentic Mini Maker Faire experience concurrently simply by visiting their local store" said Sherry Huss, Vice President of Event Operations and co-founder of Maker Faire. "The incredible lineup across almost 650 Barnes & Noble stores will provide seasoned Makers with a fulfilling experience and introduce new audiences to the growing Maker Movement."

"Make" & Collaborate, then SHARE!

At the Mini Maker Faire, Barnes & Noble customers of all ages will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experiences around the art of designing, handcrafting and constructing, in the spirit of collaboration, cooperative learning and teamwork.

Among the featured products for children are:

* Electronic Snap Circuits from ELENCO, which combine to create working circuit boards just like the ones found inside televisions, radios and other electronic devices;
* littleBits, which takes circuitry one step further with its magnetic capabilities and puts the power of electronics in kids' hands. These electronic building blocks allow anyone to create simple or complex inventions;
* Maker Studio from ThinkFun, featuring essential engineering parts including gears, spools, connectors, wheels, rods and hubcaps to inspire imagination and a genuine love for making; and
* LEGO Bionicle Bricks, which will allow children to build their own adventures.

Adults will also have the opportunity to make and collaborate using products like:

* Extraordinaires Design Studio PRO, available exclusively at Barnes & Noble, which will challenges participants to think outside the box through its unique 3-step process involving research, design and improvement;
* Ideas then begin to take shape with LEGO Architecture Studio, bricks which can be used to make incredible architectural designs and can also be used to rapid prototype almost anything the mind can imagine.

Additionally, on Saturday, November 7, at 2PM, select Barnes & Noble stores will host special Raspberry Jam events designed to teach attendees how to use Raspberry Pi, a tiny and affordable computer that helps users learn programming through fun, practical projects. Twelve of these events throughout the country will feature product evangelists from Raspberry Pi who will speak about the product, including Matt Richardson, co-author of Getting Started with Raspberry Pi, at Barnes & Noble's Emeryville, CA, store. Customers should contact their local store to find out if a Raspberry Jam event will take place there, and if any special guests will be hosting.

Meet the "Makers"

Throughout the Mini Maker Faire, Makers, educators and authors dedicated to changing the way people learn, ideate, design, create, build and embrace the future will visit stores nationwide to speak about the Maker Movement, present their creations and more.

High-profile special guests include Dale Dougherty, Founder and Executive Chairman of Maker Media/Maker Faire, at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square (New York City) on Friday, November 6, at 7PM; Ayah Bdeir, Founder and CEO of littleBits, at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square (New York City) on Saturday, November 7, at 1PM; Nader Hamda, Founder and CEO of Ozobot, at Barnes & Noble at the Grove (Los Angeles) on Sunday, November 8, at 12 Noon; and Parker Thomas, Inventor of Maker Studio, at the Barnes & Noble in the Prudential Center (Boston).

Plus, a special all-star panel event will be held at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square (New York City) on Sunday, November 8, at 1PM, featuring the CEOs and Founders of several companies that lead the Maker Movement through their creativity and innovation. They include Simon Chen, CEO of XYZprinting, Bill Ritchie, Founder of ThinkFun, Rory O'Connor, Founder of The Creativity Hub / Design Extraordinaires, Anita Murphy, Founder of The Creativity Hub / Design Extraordinaires, and more. Customers should contact their local store to find out what special guests are participating during the Mini Maker Faire, or visit www.bn.com/storelocator.

In the spirit of sharing, participants are also invited to upload any pictures they take at Barnes & Noble's Mini Maker Faire events to social media using the hashtags #BNMakerFaire or #MakerFaire.

For more information, customers should visit BN.com/MakerFaire to make sure they do not miss out on the first-ever retail Mini Maker Faire hosted by Barnes & Noble, where they will experience hands-on learning and making opportunities in the areas of ideation, creative thinking, art, design, construction and innovation, as well as programming, coding and 3D printing - with activities for children ages five and up to adults.

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation's largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 647 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web's premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store. The NOOK Store features more than 4 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com) and UK (www.nook.co.uk), plus periodicals, comics, apps, movies and TV shows, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps available for Android, iOS and Windows.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company's corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.